WEBELOS WOOD CRAFT

Boys love anything that can launch or fling items, and this homemade paper airplane launcher really fits the bill! It’s easy to build and will take ordinary paper airplanes to a whole new level. Building and testing the planes involves all kinds of science, so it is a great scouting activity.

Our paper airplane launcher is a simple design. Using a board 8-12 inches wide, cut lengths about 10 inches long. Sand the cut edges smooth. Measure and mark for nail placement. The nails should be the same distance from the front edge of the board and spaced as shown in the picture. Drive the nails into the board where marked. Add a long rubber band (from the office supply aisle at Walmart), and that’s it. Boys will learn to measure and cut wood, sand, and measure to make nails parallel and level, and hammer straight.

Modify the paper airplanes using a hole-punch and tape for reinforcement, then insert a bent paper clip as shown. The paper clip works amazingly well! It’s easy to launch planes with plenty of power! Then simply pull back and shoot! The launcher worked the best on a table rather than on the ground. We also propped up the front of the launcher with a few books to get a better trajectory.

Step 1:Cut the Caddy Pieces – Determine the desired size of your Caddy or use the dimensions provided

Select the 1 x 6 material; cut the pieces per the dimensions above

Select the Side and Bottom pieces; Drill three, 1/4″ holes (1/4″ deep) on each exterior side and two holes in the Bottom Panel per the dimensions above

Select the two, Side pieces; Drill one, 1/2″ hole (1/4″ deep) on each interior surface, centered at the top of each side to receive the Dowel Rod Sand all pieces

Step 2:Assemble the Caddy Pieces – Select and dry-fit all pieces

Attach one Side to the Front, Back, and Bottom Panels with glue and three wood screws

Attach the Bottom Panel; Connect the Bottom Panel to the Front and Back Panels with the wood screws Repeat the process for the other side after placing the Dowel Rod in place

Insert all plugs with glue (optional)Step 3:Finish the Caddy – Select the finishing materials Fill all holes and cracks with filler; sand all surfaces Apply polyurethane or paint.

This would be a fun project, leaders would need to cut the log with a table saw, and the boys could use a hand saw to cut the branches for game pieces. They could use a wood burning tool for details.

Dinosaur Book Ends

You’ll need:

scrap wood

old plastic dinosaur toys

utility knife

screws

spray paint

hot glue

Measure Blocks of wood, the base piece is smaller than the side piece. Cut pieces. Screw pieces together to form basic book end. Using utility knife cut dinosaur in half and hot glue pieces onto bookends. Spray paint the entire project. Tree Trunk Stompers

Here’s what you’ll need:
1 4×4 piece of lumbersawdrillstrong rope (be sure to double-check that it is lead-free rope)sandpaper

Using a saw, cut two 6-inch blocks of wood from the 4×4 lumber. Sand the edges, if necessary.2. Drill a hole through the center of the wood block, big enough for the rope to fit through (the holes in ours are about 1/2″ in diameter).3. Cut two pieces of rope about 52 inches long (or measure on your child to see what the right length might be).4. Slide the rope through the holes of both wood blocks and tie a strong knot.

Paper Towel Holder

Materials:

1×6 pine board; ¾” dowel, 1 ¼” wood screws, sandpaper, paint or stain

Cut a base piece of 1×6 pine that is 6”long. Sand all edges smooth. Measure the center of the base and drill a pilot hole for the screw to attach the dowel. Cut dowel 12” drill pilot hole for screw in center of dowel. Attach dowel to base using wood screw. Paint or stain as desired. Note: make sure the pilot holes are smaller than the diameter of the wood screw. Be sure to drill pilot hole in base completely through the wood, but drill dowel about ¼”.

Additional resources can be found in your WEBELOS and Bear scout books.

Game ideas for learning about tools:

Nail Driving Contest

Give each boy a hammer and five nails. On the word “go”, they are to nail all five nails completely into a round log 4 inches in diameter. First one finished is the winner.

Board Sawing Contest

This is the same as the nail driving contest. Give each boy a small hand saw and a 2” x 4” board.On the word “go”, each boy is to saw his board in half.

Name The Tools

Cut different silhouettes of tools from construction paper, such as a hammer, plane, brace, bit, wrench, screwdriver, etc. Glue these on lightweight cardboard, and use as flashcards.

Nail Game

Players work in pairs for this game. Items needed: Hammers, boards, nails. Provide each team with a nail, board, and hammer. First Cub drives nail into board. Second Cub tries to pull it out with the hammer. First team to do this wins.

Measuring Worm

Each Cub is measured from shoulder to feet. He assumes a push-up position with elbows and knees straight. He then inches his feet as close to his hands as possible, keeping knees straight. The original position is left by inching forward with his hands, thus finding out the distance from one point to another, depending on how many times he has moved forward. The Cub with the closest measurement wins.

Twenty Questions

Each Den has five minutes to write down twenty things that it takes to build a house. Not what is in a house after it is built, but what it takes to build it. The Den that gets 20 things written down first is the winner.

Toolbox Race

Egg carton “toolboxes” should be prepared before the meeting. Use an assortment of bolts, screws, etc. and mix them all together in the holes.

To play the game, give each Cub an egg carton. On signal, they must organize all the items into separate compartments. The first one to sort his “toolbox” gets to take it home with him.